Pa and Merle Dixon arrived within half an hour at the small shop, Anastasia had set up as her fake business, to entice Carol into the fold quicker. She knew the men were pussy footing around the situation, not wishing to scare the human. Well tough on them, this woman and child needed to be safe and hidden from Ed, and the other's before night fully set in. She was never given the choice when her husband, changed her. She felt the remorse come from him, sending her thoughts back, that she would never changed it for the world, she had been given a wonderful gift of her two son's and him, when he decided to take her life force and make her one of his kind. She would more than make it up to him, for letting him feel any hurt.
Carol turned when the two men walked into the small shop, their towering height and strength had her stepping back from them.
"It's ok honey, these are some of my family, and they will take you to the cottage, this is my wonderful husband, Earl" Carol shook the hand of the handsome man, who when smiled had her thinking of the man in his dreams.
"And this is my eldest son Merle, whose wife's job you will be taking" Carol timidly put her hand out and smiled at him, Anastasia telling both men, not too look to shocked, and to go along with the plan, as she had it all in hand. Having already spoken with Herschel, whilst Carol had fed Sophia in the back. He was in the process of locating a small office and getting the furniture put in, organizing it, to make it look as if it was fully functional. It was amazing what could be done in so little time, with the support of friends, if she had left it to the males, they would still be wondering how the hell to get her out of the house.
"It's nice to meet you both, so with this one being your eldest, how many do you have?" Carol felt settled within the company of these men, which was unusual for her, as large men scared her, she thought it had a lot to do with Ed. Yet it felt as though she knew them, that they were going to protect her from everything. Silly, stupid woman, she thought to herself, hiding her reddening face into Sophia's soft curls.
"I have another son, younger, Daryl" Her head came up, looking at Anastasia, that name struck a heat right through to her core, she was sure she saw the woman acknowledge her reaction. Stepping back, she felt nervous now, scared, what was going on here?.
"Ya fuckin scaring her, leave her!" Her mate's roar came through to his family, all knew they had overstepped the line, she was going to run, if they didn't stop her.
"Carol, honey you must be shattered, it's been a long day, let us take you to the cottage, get you settled in".Anastasia, tried to calm her down a little, but could see she had the look of a deer caught in the headlights, she was going to run, she just knew.
"I..." Carol couldn't speak, fear was blocking her throat, she felt as if she was suffocating, holding Sophia closer to her, the little girl could feel her anxiety. Struggling against her mum, Carol could feel her hands slipping, her daughter was falling, trying to stop the fall, she gasped as Merle, stopped Sophia's fall. Her mouth opened and shut, no way could a man move that quick, he had been on the other side of the room.
"What the hell are you? Who are you?" Grabbing her daughter from Merle, she felt the door hit her back. Hands trembling as they tried to find the handle, she had to escape. Finally opening the door, all three adults watching her, not stopping her. Her heart was racing, she felt light headed, what was going on?. Moving slowly out of the door, she felt her back, hit a wall, turning she looked up into the bluest eyes she had ever seen. The blue eyes that belonged to the man she had been dreaming about, he was real, and he was here. Darkness overtook her as she felt herself fall.
Daryl knew his mate felt scared, trapped within the walls of the small shop, she was going to run , her breathing had become deeper, her heart beat erratic, she needed him. Arriving as she backed out of the shop, he felt his body react, she was like a frightened little mouse and it was down to his overbearing family. Standing behind her, he waited with baited breath, hoping she would turn around and see him as the man he was. The one who wanted her, who had made love, fucked and done other things to her body in her dreams. Feeling her small body crash into his, he felt the shivers run through him, her eyes looked into his. As she studied him, he saw the recognition in them, in her soul,then her eyes drifted shut, before she took her next breath, he had her in his arms. Merle had grabbed Sophia, and Daryl his mate, both angry at the way it had turned out.
Daryl was beyond pissed at his mum, she had interfered too soon, he had told her to stay away, let them deal with it. But no, mother knew best as she told him, well enough, they didn't know her like he did. They would have to accept she was different, delicate, needed some softness, not rushed and forced into something she was clearly scared shit less about.
"I'm sorry Daryl, I thought" his mum placed her hand on his arm.
"Ya, almost made me loose her, the fear would have had her running, hiding, she may even have gone back to that bastard of a husband. Ya leave her the hell alone. I got some shit to explain thanks to ya"
"Son she was doing..." even his Pa stepped back, as he saw his son's eyes darken, now was not the time, he would speak with him when and if he calmed down.
"I thought I was doing what as best. I am sorry Daryl" his mum patted his arm, and headed out of the shop, leaving her two son's behind, as her husband placed his arm around his wife, telling her to leave them for now. In time he would talk, they all would.
"We need to get them safe Daryl, it's creeping to dusk, we have a few hours if that" Merle held the little baby tight to his chest, glad she had settled within moments in his arms. Daryl lifted Carol in his, she was so light, so delicate.
"Ya got the car?" Merle nodded, placing Sophia in the baby seat, they had already placed in the car, he went to grab the rest of her belongings, locking up, he watched the way his brother placed her so gently in the it. As he left the shop, it changed back to it's original form, an unused, derelict place.